Hein Issues NY’s 1st Hydrofracking Exec Order

…at least we believe it’s the first, if you know differently, by all means speak up.

Ulster County Executive Mike Hein (who, by the way, is not running for Congress this fall), signed an executive order today banning the use of hydrofracking waste water as a de-icing agent on local roads. (Apparently, the waste produced as a byproduct of the natural gas drilling process is so salty that well operators have found municipalities willing to purchase it as an alternative to traditional road salt; others have used it to keep the dust down on dirt roads).

“There is grave concern among many people in our community that that could be done and ultimately cause environmental damage and expose people to (carcinogens),” Hein said.

“So in our situation, it has been very simple. I cannot and will not allow that to continue. In Ulster County we have not ever used it, we are not using it currently and we will never use it…This executive order formalizes that and makes sure that is not going to take place in Ulster County.”

“And that is effective immediately. Immediately. So the people of Ulster County can be assured none of this byproduct of hydrofracking will be used on their roadways, and they can feel very safe in knowing that.”

Just yesterday, the Heritage Foundation’s Robert Alt issued a report warning about the long-term costs of local fracking bans and moratoriums, which he believes will ultimately be shot down in court. He didn’t address the question of executive orders.